Where does “whakapapa” come from?

whakapapa (English) comes from Maori whakapapa, from Maori papa, from Proto-Polynesian *papa, from Proto-Oceanic *papan, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *papan — plank, board.

whakapapa (English): Genealogy, as a fundamental principle of Māori culture that is critical in establishing one's identity

Definitions

  1. Genealogy, as a fundamental principle of Māori culture that is critical in establishing one's identity

Ancestry of “whakapapa”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Maoriwhakapapa—
2Maoripaparump
3Proto-Polynesian*papaboard, plank
4Proto-Oceanic*papan—
5Proto-Malayo-Polynesian*papanplank, board
Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *papan →Every word from Proto-Oceanic *papan →Every word from Proto-Polynesian *papa →
whakapapa — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer